Deck the Halls

This is definitely the best time of the year! We have been busy bees- decking every hall, shelf, window, corner, nook and cranny in our house. I think we have finally finished and we can enjoy the fruits of our labors. I have to say, Aaron has been just as busy as I have. He went all out on the outside lights and it looks great!

Here are a few of my holiday favorites this year:

THE TREE

We started off at the Christmas tree farm to cut down out own tree. As we were wandering around looking at trees we glanced at a price tag- $175 for a 10-11 foot tree!! What the? We've been going there for a couple years, but they were never this expensive. So we let the kids do some rides and took off. This little ride here-- it cost $15.00- what a rip off!

So we ended up here- where our beautiful 10 foot tree cost $79 instead. Love Home Depot!




DECORATIONS
Addie was a big helper while the boys were at school.


Here's Zoodle in his new location for the day.Here's the result of Aaron's many hours outside. I love my mantle-it's so fun to decorate. My favorite, favorite thing are the HANDMADE stocking that Aaron's grandma makes for everyone in the family. They are so precious to me and every year when I get them out, it makes me so thankful that she worked so hard on them. We love you Grandma- thank you, thank you, thank you! (she's a faithful blog reader!)My parents came out tonight and we had a yummy dinner: baked potato soup, homemade bread and green salad. We decorated the tree and then turned off all the house lights and had chocolate chip cookies and candy cane cocoa, while Grammie told stories and we looked at the tree. What a magical night!
CUTE KIDS
Lately I've been obsessed with this little guy. Just can't get enough!

Do you love these jammies? Tonight it was hard to not eat him right up. He's scrumptious.

Okay I guess the rest are cute, too.
(sad that this was the best picture out of many.)
There's so much going on at this time of the year, but I love the feeling I get when we're all home together and the lights are shining and everyone is happy and excited. It's hard to not be thankful and to feel so blessed. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!